Religion is the opium of the people –Karl Marx
All religions, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, and even the African traditional religion among others exemplify goodness; in character, in how to treat one’s neighbors, they all generally preach love. While much other religion has their written laws to fall back to for references, the only thing we Africans can relate to regarding the tenets of our religion are the folklores that have been told and retold some lost in translation, some modified to suit the teller, but at the end of it all, unauthentic. Atheists on the other hand believe in neither God nor Religion, hence they’re neither guided by divine purpose to do well either to earn a reward or to avoid some grave punishment –or being smitten out of existence by an angry deity.
That notwithstanding, over the years, Africa has imported –in addition to almost all of our basic technology- the religion of the foreigners. This has impacted our lives so much that as a people many of us find a way to bring religion into everything we do, from early morning pleasantries to bedtime routines. However, it seemed this has not made us better people with regards to character and kindness, hence the saying “Nigerians are Religious but not righteous”. People who are supposed to be the embodiment of good, the so-called churchgoers or mosque-goers lie, cheat, maim and kill; worse even, in the name of their religion; which begs the question; Would Nigeria be better or worse off without religion?
Imagine a Nigeria where everyone is an atheist, no heaven, no hell, not as much as life after death, No Sango or Ogun to strike dead anyone who takes their name in vain. Would we have the dream of Nigeria? Would we be kinder to ourselves? More supportive and tolerant of one another? It’s not an easy thing to imagine, considering how intertwined our culture and religion have been, but I shall take it in bits.
First, from a personal level, the Nigerian people I have encountered from their different socio-cultural backgrounds are more reliant on ‘God’ for what they believe he can do for them. There’s a reason motor parks and hospitals are concentration areas for beggars; it’s because people in these areas are in dire need of ‘God’ for safety and good health, hence they are more charitable and give alms with much less push than other places. This has shaped the way religion is preached in churches and mosques these days; from preaching salvation and righteousness, to “You will get rich this year in God’s name”.
As a result of the previous point, those who are more aware of this have taken it to the next level by painting themselves in a religious light in a bid to cajole others into giving them what they want –usually fraudulently. This is common with scammers who introduce themselves as pastors or Mallam because those names are associated with honesty. And by scammers, it includes many of our politicians. It gets so bad that some believe that the biggest of scams actually happen in the ‘houses of God’ and the biggest perpetrators are the so-called ‘men of God’.
At a societal level, however, religion is even more abused as the platform on which love should be preached is what primarily preaches hatred. The citadels of knowledge have somehow turned into the breeding ground of ignorance. Hence, Boko Haram and other terrorist groups kill innocent people and claim to serve a religious cause. This is why rape happens in churches and people are reluctant to talk about it because; ‘touch not my anointed’. Beyond this, in Nigeria where tribalism is rife, one would have thought that religion would blur those lines; considering there are fewer main religions that tribes, but the opposite is actually the case. Religion actually sharpened these lines; with people discriminating others from other tribes who are not of the same tribe. E.g. some feel a Hausa Muslim is superior to a Yoruba Christian and vice-versa.
After saying all of that, the most important –one that refers to Nigeria as an entity- is the political space. To talk about this, I ask the reader to think of other religious countries that have succeeded in spite of religious or even with the help of religion. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel among others. Why then is Nigeria different, despite her people? Well, truth be told, it had more to do with the attitude of the people that make up these countries than whatever cultures or religion they practice.
To sum it up, Nigeria without religion is one in which people would still kill each other over tribe and political affiliation. One whose people cheat one another by hoodwinking people using names of reputable families or prominent companies. The sheep would in our current realities would remain so because; “respect your elders” or whatever similar statement they choose to console themselves with. Religion did not make Nigeria better or worse, it’s just a convenient excuse. https://medium.com/@zubairabdulahad/nigeria-without-religion-better-or-worse-d296d7dfee75 |
